Vidarbha team in Junnar for leopard awareness

Pune: Facing a rise in leopard attacks and frequent sightings in parts of Pune district, the Junnar forest division has brought in a team of wildlife awareness experts from Vidarbha to educate villagers on preventing encounters and responding safely during leopard sightings.The initiative is being implemented across leopard-affected villages, particularly in Junnar and Shirur tehsils, where incidents involving the big cats have increased over the past few years. Forest officials said the programme aims to reduce panic among residents and promote practical safety measures in vulnerable areas. As part of the campaign, the experts are conducting street plays, interactive sessions and demonstrations to help villagers identify leopard movement patterns, paw marks and other signs indicating the animal's presence nearby. "These awareness programmes are being organised in villages where leopard sightings and attacks have already taken place. The educators are experienced and explain things in a very simple and lucid manner so that villagers can understand and respond calmly," Smita Rajhans, assistant conservator of forests, Junnar division, said.